Mobile terminal and manufacturing method for heat spreader module

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a mobile terminal including a display panel, a frame comprising a front surface where the display panel is disposed, a rear case coupled to one surface of the frame, to form an electric/electronic control unit there between the frame and the rear case, a heat spreader module provided between the display panel and the frame, wherein the heat spreader module includes a metallic plate in contact with the display panel, a heat spreading material layer disposed on a rear surface of the metallic plate and an adhesive layer disposed between the heat spreading material layer and the metallic plate to bond the metallic plate and the heat spreading material layer with each other. Even when the frame is partially eliminated, the mobile terminal may support the display panel and securing the heat spreading performance simultaneously, using the heat spreader module having a preset rigidity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No.10-2013-0105302, filed on Sep. 3, 2013, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal whichmay maintain a heat spreading performance and realize a slim thicknesssimultaneously, improving a heat spreader module having a presetrigidity.

2. Background

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals andstationary terminals. In addition, the mobile terminals can be furtherclassified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals.

Further, a mobile terminal can perform various functions such as dataand voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera,recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speakersystem, and displaying images and video on a display.

There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality ofmobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardwareimprovements, as well as changes and improvements in the structuralcomponents which form the mobile terminal.

It is important to emit the heat generated in the mobile terminal and tolessen the size of the mobile terminal, as a user is carrying the mobileterminal in his or her hand. With a variety of functions, users use suchmobile terminals for a longer time and a heat radiation performance ismuch more important in the mobile terminals. Also, the portability hasbecome a big issue.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile terminalwhich may maintain a heat spreading performance and realize a slimthickness simultaneously, improving a heat spreader module having apreset rigidity.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, amobile terminal includes a display panel; a frame comprising a frontsurface where the display panel is disposed; a rear case coupled to onesurface of the frame, to form an electric/electronic control unit therebetween the frame and the rear case; a heat spreader module providedbetween the display panel and the frame, wherein the heat spreadermodule includes a metallic plate in contact with the display panel, aheat spreading material layer disposed on a rear surface of the metallicplate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the heat spreadingmaterial layer and the metallic plate to bond the metallic plate and theheat spreading material layer with each other.

The heat spreading material layer may include graphite.

The mobile terminal may further include a cover layer provided on anexposed surface of the heat spreading material layer.

The cover layer may include polyimide or copper.

The heat spreader module may be formed by thermal-compression of themetallic layer, the adhesive layer, the heat spreading material layerand the cover layer disposed sequentially.

Each layer of the heat spreader module may be disposed sequentially in arolling method.

The size of the heat spreading material layer and the cover layer may,be smaller than the size of the metallic plate in a horizontal orvertical direction, to locate at least one horizontal or vertical end ofthe heat spreading material layer and the cover layer in an innerportion of the metallic plate.

A corner of the heat spreader module may be rounded.

The metallic layer may be Steel (STS).

The adhesive layer may include a heat conductive material.

A hole or a slit may be formed in at least one of the heat spreadingmaterial layer and the metallic layer.

The frame may include a battery mounting portion which penetrates aprinted circuit board supporting portion formed in a rear surface, afront surface and a back surface, and the frame may include a batteryloaded in the battery mounting portion and a printed circuit boardloaded in the printed circuit board supporting portion.

The mobile terminal may further include an adhesive portion disposedbetween the heat spreader module and the frame to attach the heatspreader module and the frame with each other, wherein an area of theadhesive portion is 1.2% or less with respect to an overall area of theframe.

In another aspect, a manufacturing method of a heat spreader moduleincludes coating an adhesive layer on a metallic layer; laminating aheat spreading material layer on the adhesive layer in a rolling method;laminating a copper layer on the heat spreading material layer in arolling method; and cutting the laminated metallic layer, adhesivelayer, heat spreading material layer and copper layer in a small size.

A roller for laminating the heat spreading material layer may be smallerthan a roller for laminating the copper layer and the adhesive layer.

The cutting step may round each corner of the heat spreader module.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heatspreader module having a preset rigidity may be used in supporting thedisplay panel and securing the heat spreading performancesimultaneously, even when the frame is partially eliminated.

Furthermore, the frame is partially eliminated such that the thicknessof the electric/electronic control unit increased by the battery may bereduced and the overall thickness of the mobile terminal can be reducedaccordingly.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of thedisclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of a mobile terminal accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a frame, a heatspreading material, a printed circuit board and a battery provided in amobile terminal according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a sectional diagram of a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7 a through 7 c are diagrams illustrating various embodiments of aheat spreader module provided in a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a manufacturing method of a heatspreader module provided in a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9 a through 9 c are diagrams illustrating various embodiments of aheat spreader module provided in a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 are graphs illustrating a result of comparison of heatspreading performances in a mobile terminal according to one embodimentof the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ are used forelements in order to facilitate the disclosure only. Therefore,significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes themselvesand it is understood that the ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ can be usedtogether or interchangeably.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thedisclosed subject matter may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and willconvey the scope of the disclosed subject matter to those skilled in theart. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regionsmay be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawingsdenote like elements.

The various features described herein may be applicable to a varioustypes of mobile terminals. Examples of such terminals may include mobilephones, user equipments, smart phones, digital broadcast receivers,personal digital assistants, laptop computers, portable multimediaplayers (PMP), navigators and the like.

Yet, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a configurationaccording to an embodiment disclosed in this specification may also beapplicable to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computerand the like as well as a mobile terminal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in accordance with anembodiment as broadly described herein. The mobile terminal 100 mayinclude a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V (audio/video) inputunit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150,a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supplyunit 190 and the like. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal 100 havingvarious components, but it is understood that implementing all of theillustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer componentsmay alternatively be implemented.

In the following description, the above elements of the mobile terminal100 are explained in sequence.

First of all, the wireless communication unit 110 typically includes oneor more components which permits wireless communication between themobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system or networkwithin which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For instance, thewireless communication unit 110 can include a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113,a short-range communication module 114, a position-location module 115and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managingserver via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include asatellite channel and a terrestrial channel. At least two broadcastreceiving modules 111 can be provided to the mobile terminal 100 inpursuit of simultaneous receptions of at least two broadcast channels orbroadcast channel switching facilitation.

The broadcast associated information includes information associatedwith a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast serviceprovider, etc. And, the broadcast associated information can be providedvia a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcastassociated information can be received by the mobile communicationmodule 112.

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information received bythe broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in a suitable device,such as a memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from one or more network entities (e.g., base station, externalterminal, server, etc.) via a mobile network such as GSM (Gobal Systemfor Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA(Wideband CDMA) and so on. Such wireless signals may represent audio,video, and data according to text/multimedia message transmission andreception, among others.

The wireless internet module 113 supports Internet access for the mobileterminal 100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to themobile terminal 100. In this case, the wireless Internet technology caninclude WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax(World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High SpeedDownlink Packet Access), GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution),etc.

Wireless internet access by Wibro, HSPDA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or thelike is achieved via a mobile communication network. In this aspect, thewireless internet module 113 configured to perform the wireless internetaccess via the mobile communication network can be understood as a sortof the mobile communication module 112.

The short-range communication module 114 facilitates relativelyshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule include radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared dataassociation (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as well at the networkingtechnologies commonly referred to as Bluetooth and ZigBee, to name afew.

The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise obtains thelocation of the mobile terminal 100. If desired, this module may beimplemented with a global positioning system (GPS) module. According tothe current technology, the GPS module 115 is able to preciselycalculate current 3-dimensional position information based on at leastone of longitude, latitude and altitude and direction (or orientation)by calculating distance information and precise time information from atleast three satellites and then applying triangulation to the calculatedinformation. Currently, location and time information are calculatedusing three satellites, and errors of the calculated location positionand time information are then amended using another satellite. Besides,the GPS module 115 is able to calculate speed information bycontinuously calculating a real-time current location.

Referring to FIG. 1, the audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 may beconfigured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal100. As shown, the A/V input unit 120 includes a camera 121 and amicrophone 122. The camera 121 receives and processes image frames ofstill pictures or video, which are obtained by an image sensor in avideo call mode or a photographing mode. In addition, the processedimage frames can be displayed on the display 151 of the output unit 150.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 can be stored in the memory160 or can be externally transmitted via the wireless communication unit110. Optionally, at least two cameras 121 can be provided to the mobileterminal 100 according to environment of usage.

The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal while the portabledevice is in a particular mode, such as phone call mode, recording modeand voice recognition. This audio signal is processed and converted intoelectric audio data. The processed audio data is transformed into aformat transmittable to a mobile communication base station via themobile communication module 112 in case of a call mode. The microphone122 may include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noisegenerated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data responsive to usermanipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of suchdevices include a button 136 provided to front/rear/lateral side of themobile terminal 100 and a touch sensor (pressure sensitivetouch/capacitive touch) 137 and may further include a key pad, a domeswitch, a jog wheel, a jog switch and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may provide sensing signals for controllingoperations of the mobile terminal 100 using status measurements ofvarious aspects of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, the sensingunit 140 may detect an open/close status of the mobile terminal 100,relative positioning of components (e.g., a display and keypad) of themobile terminal 100, a change of position of the mobile terminal 100 ora component of the mobile terminal 100, a presence or absence of usercontact with the mobile terminal 100, orientation oracceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100. By non-limitingexample, such a sensing unit 140 may include a gyro sensor, anacceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor and the like.

As an example, consider the mobile terminal 100 being configured as aslide-type mobile terminal. In this configuration, the sensing unit 140may sense whether a sliding portion of the mobile terminal is open orclosed. Other examples include the sensing unit 140 sensing the presenceor absence of power provided by the power supply 190, the presence orabsence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit 170and an external device. In addition, the sensing unit 140 may include aproximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 may generate outputs relevant to the senses ofsight, hearing, touch and the like. The output unit 150 includes thedisplay 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a hapticmodule 154 and the like.

The display 151 may be implemented to visually display (output)information associated with the mobile terminal 100. For instance, ifthe mobile terminal is operating in a phone call mode, the display mayprovide a user interface (UI) or graphical user interface (GUI) whichincludes information associated with placing, conducting, andterminating a phone call. As another example, if the mobile terminal 100is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the display 151 mayadditionally or alternatively display images which are associated withthese modes, the UI or the GUI.

The display 151 may be implemented using known display technologiesincluding, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin filmtransistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emittingdiode display (OLED), a flexible display and a three-dimensionaldisplay. The mobile terminal 100 may include one or more of suchdisplays.

Some of the above displays can be implemented in a transparent oroptical transmittable type, which can be named a transparent display. Asa representative example for the transparent display, there is TOLED(transparent OLED) or the like. A rear configuration of the display 151can be implemented in the optical transmittive type as well. In thisconfiguration, a user is able to see an object in rear of a terminalbody via the area occupied by the display 151 of the terminal body.

At least two displays 151 may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 inaccordance with the implemented configuration of the mobile terminal100. For instance, a plurality of displays can be arranged on a singleface of the mobile terminal 100 in a manner of being spaced apart fromeach other or being built in one body. Alternatively, a plurality ofdisplays can be arranged on different faces of the mobile terminal 100.

In case that the display 151 and the touch sensor 137 configures amutual layer structure (hereinafter called ‘touch screen’), it is ableto use the display 151 as an input device as well as an output device.In this case, the touch sensor may be configured as a touch film, atouch sheet, a touchpad or the like.

The touch sensor 137 can be configured to convert a pressure applied toa specific portion of the display 151 or a variation of a capacitancegenerated from a specific portion of the display 151 to an electricinput signal. Moreover, it is able to configure the touch sensor 137 todetect a pressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size.

If a touch input is made to the touch sensor 137, signal(s)corresponding to the touch is transferred to a touch controller. Thetouch controller processes the signal(s) and then transfers theprocessed signal(s) to the controller 180. Therefore, the controller 180is able to know whether a prescribed portion of the display 151 istouched.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a proximity sensor 141 can be provided to aninternal area of the mobile terminal 100 enclosed by the touchscreen oraround the touchscreen. The proximity sensor 141 is the sensor thatdetects a presence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribeddetecting surface or an object existing around the proximity sensorusing an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray withoutmechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor has durability longerthan that of a contact type sensor and also has utility wider than thatof the contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 can include one of a transmittive photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflectivephotoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, anelectrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, aninfrared proximity sensor and the like. In case that the touchscreenincludes the electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configuredto detect the proximity of a pointer using a variation of electric fieldaccording to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touchscreen(touch sensor) can be classified as the proximity sensor.

For clarity and convenience of the following description, as a pointerbecomes proximate to a touchscreen without coming into contact with thetouchscreen, if the pointer is perceived as situated over thetouchscreen, such an action shall be named ‘proximity touch’. If apointer actually comes into contact with a touchscreen, such an actionshall be named ‘contact touch’. A proximity-touched position over thetouchscreen with the pointer may mean a position at which the pointervertically opposes the touchscreen when the touchscreen isproximity-touched with the pointer.

The proximity sensor 141 detects a proximity touch and a proximity touchpattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, aproximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state, etc.). Inaddition, information corresponding to the detected proximity touchaction and the detected proximity touch pattern can be outputted to thetouchscreen.

The audio output module 152 functions in various modes including acall-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voicerecognition mode, a broadcast reception mode and the like to outputaudio data which is received from the wireless communication unit 110 oris stored in the memory 160. During operation, the audio output module152 outputs audio relating to a particular function (e.g., callreceived, message received, etc.). The audio output module 152 is oftenimplemented using one or more speakers, buzzers, other audio producingdevices, and combinations thereof.

The alarm unit 153 is output a signal for announcing the occurrence of aparticular event associated with the mobile terminal 100. Typical eventsinclude a call received event, a message received event and a touchinput received event. The alarm unit 153 is able to output a signal forannouncing the event occurrence by way of vibration as well as video oraudio signal. The video or audio signal can be output via the display151 or the audio output unit 152. Hence, the display 151 or the audiooutput module 152 can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that can besensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the tactileeffects generated by the haptic module 154. Strength and pattern of thevibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. Forinstance, different vibrations can be output in a manner of beingsynthesized together or can be output in sequence.

The haptic module 154 is able to generate various tactile effects aswell as the vibration. For instance, the haptic module 154 generates theeffect attributed to the arrangement of pins vertically moving against acontact skin surface, the effect attributed to the injection/suctionpower of air though an injection/suction hole, the effect attributed tothe skim over a skin surface, the effect attributed to the contact withelectrode, the effect attributed to the electrostatic force, the effectattributed to the representation of hold/cold sense using an endothermicor exothermic device and the like.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented to enable a user to sense thetactile effect through a muscle sense of finger, arm or the like as wellas to transfer the tactile effect through a direct contact. Optionally,at least two haptic modules 154 can be provided to the mobile terminal100 in accordance with the corresponding configuration type of themobile terminal 100.

The memory unit 160 is generally used to store various types of data tosupport the processing, control, and storage requirements of the mobileterminal 100. Examples of such data include program instructions forapplications operating on the mobile terminal 100, contact data,phonebook data, messages, audio, still pictures (or photo), movingpictures, etc. In addition, a recent use history or a cumulative usefrequency of each data (e.g., use frequency for each phonebook, eachmessage or each multimedia) can be stored in the memory unit 160.Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound output incase of a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memoryunit 160.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type or combination ofsuitable volatile and non-volatile memory or storage devices includinghard disk, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory(SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-onlymemory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory,magnetic or optical disk, multimedia card micro type memory, card-typememory (e.g., SD memory, XD memory, etc.), or other similar memory ordata storage device. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 is able tooperate in association with a web storage for performing a storagefunction of the memory 160 on Internet.

The interface unit 170 is often implemented to couple the mobileterminal 100 with external devices. The interface unit 170 receives datafrom the external devices or is supplied with the power and thentransfers the data or power to the respective elements of the mobileterminal 100 or enables data within the mobile terminal 100 to betransferred to the external devices.

The interface unit 170 may be configured using a wired/wireless headsetport, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memorycard port, a port for coupling to a device having an identity module,audio input/output ports, video input/output ports, an earphone portand/or the like.

The identity module is the chip for storing various kinds of informationfor authenticating a use authority of the mobile terminal 100 and caninclude User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber Identify Module (SIM),Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and/or the like. A devicehaving the identity module (hereinafter called ‘identity device’) can bemanufactured as a smart card. Therefore, the identity device isconnectible to the mobile terminal 100 via the corresponding port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 becomes a passage for supplying the mobile terminal100 with a power from the cradle or a passage for delivering variouscommand signals input from the cradle by a user to the mobile terminal100. Each of the various command signals input from the cradle or thepower can operate as a signal enabling the mobile terminal 100 torecognize that it is correctly loaded in the cradle.

The controller 180 may control the overall operations of the mobileterminal 100. For example, the controller 180 may performs the controland processing associated with voice calls, data communications, videocalls, etc. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 thatprovides multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured as part of the controller 180, or implemented as a separatecomponent.

Moreover, the controller 180 is able to perform a pattern (or image)recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and a picturedrawing input carried out on the touchscreen as characters or images,respectively.

The power supply unit 190 provides power required by the variouscomponents for the mobile terminal 100. The power may be internal power,external power, or combinations thereof.

A battery may include a built-in rechargeable battery and may bedetachably attached to the terminal body for a charging and the like. Aconnecting port may be configured as one example of the interface 170via which an external charger for supplying a power of a batterycharging is electrically connected.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, or some combination thereof.

Next, FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminalaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The mobile terminal 100 shown in the drawing has a bar type terminalbody. Yet, the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a variety ofdifferent configurations. Examples of such configurations includefolder-type, slide-type, rotational-type, swing-type and combinationsthereof. For clarity, further disclosure will primarily relate to abar-type mobile terminal 100. However such teachings apply equally toother types of mobile terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a case 101, 102,103 configuring an exterior thereof. In the present embodiment, the casecan be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Variouselectric/electronic parts are loaded in a space provided between thefront and rear cases 101 and 102.

Occasionally, electronic components can be mounted on a surface of therear case 102. The electronic part mounted on the surface of the rearcase 102 may include such a detachable part such as a battery, a USIMcard, a memory card and the like. In doing so, the rear case 102 mayfurther include a backside cover 103 (see FIG. 3) configured to coverthe surface of the rear case 102. In particular, the backside cover 103has a detachable configuration for the user's convenience. If thebackside cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, the surface ofthe rear case 102 is exposed.

Referring to FIG. 3, if the backside cover 103 is attached to the rearcase 102, a lateral side of the rear case 102 may be exposed in part. Ifa size of the backside cover 103 is decreased, a rear side of the rearcase 102 may be exposed in part. If the backside cover 103 covers thewhole rear side of the rear case 102, it may include an opening 103′(see FIG. 4) configured to expose a camera 121′ or an audio output unit152′ externally.

The cases 101, 102 and 103 can be formed by injection molding ofsynthetic resin or can be formed of metal substance such as stainlesssteel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like for example.

A display 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, user input units130/131 and 132, a microphone 122, an interface 170 and the like can beprovided to the case 101 or 102.

The display 151 occupies most of a main face of the front case 101. Theaudio output unit 152 and the camera 121 are provided to an areaadjacent to one of both end portions of the display 151, while the userinput unit 131 and the microphone 122 are provided to another areaadjacent to the other end portion of the display 151. The user inputunit 132 and the interface 170 can be provided to lateral sides of thefront and rear cases 101 and 102.

The input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controllingan operation of the terminal 100. And, the input unit 130 is able toinclude a plurality of manipulating units 131 and 132. The manipulatingunits 131 and 132 can be named a manipulating portion and may adopt anymechanism of a tactile manner that enables a user to perform amanipulation action by experiencing a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulating unit 131 or 132 can bediversely set. For instance, such a command as start, end, scroll andthe like is input to the first manipulating unit 131. In addition, acommand for a volume adjustment of sound output from the audio outputunit 152 and the like can be input to the second manipulating unit 132,a command for a switching to a touch recognizing mode of the display 151and the like can be input to the third manipulating unit 133.

A button type is configured to recognize a pressure applied by a user toeach of the manipulation units 131, 132 and 133. If a touch sensor isprovided to each of the manipulation units 131, 132 and 133 in additionto the display unit 151, a user's command can be inputted by a user'stouch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a backside of the terminal shown inFIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the camera 121′ can be additionally provided to abackside of the terminal body, and more particularly, to the rear case102. The camera 121 has a photographing direction that is substantiallyopposite to that of the former camera 121 shown in FIG. 2 and may havepixels differing from those of the firmer camera 121.

Preferably, for instance, the camera 121 has low pixels enough tocapture and transmit a picture of user's face for a video call, whilethe latter camera 121′ has high pixels for capturing a general subjectfor photography without transmitting the captured subject. In addition,each of the cameras 121 and 121′ can be installed at the terminal bodyto be rotated or popped up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally provided adjacent to thecamera 121′. The flash 123 projects light toward a subject in case ofphotographing the subject using the camera 121′. In case that a userattempts to take a picture of the user (self-photography) using thecamera 121′, the mirror 124 enables the user to view user's facereflected by the mirror 124.

The additional audio output unit 152′ can be provided to the backside ofthe terminal body. The additional audio output unit 152′ is able toimplement a stereo function together with the former audio output unit152 shown in FIG. 2A and may be used for implementation of aspeakerphone mode in talking over the terminal.

A broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 can be additionally provided tothe lateral side of the terminal body as well as an antenna forcommunication or the like. The antenna 116 constructing a portion of thebroadcast receiving module 111 shown in FIG. 1 can be retractablyprovided to the terminal body.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of a mobile terminal 100according to one embodiment. The mobile terminal 100 includes a windowglass 109, a display panel 151, a heat spreader module 200, a frame 105,a printed circuit board 185, a battery and a rear case 102.

The display panel 151 is disposed in a front surface of the mobileterminal. Recently, a touch sensor is disposed on the display panel 151to perform even an input function as well as an output function and thedisplay panel 151 is getting larger.

The window glass 109 is configured to protect a front surface of thedisplay panel 151. Once a touch sensor is disposed on the window glass109, the window glass 109 is disposed on the display panel 151 such thatthe display panel 151 having a touch input function may be provided.

In a conventional mobile terminal, the display panel 151 is disposed inthe frame 105 and a front case covers a front surface of the displaypanel 151. However, such the front case is omitted to minimize a size ofa bezel recently as shown in FIG. 4. Also, the window glass 109 coversthe front surface of the display panel 151 and the display 151 isdisposed in the frame 105.

A camera 121, a receiver 152, a microphone 122 and the like which aretypically mounted in the front case of the conventional mobile terminalmay be mounted in a space formed between the frame 105 and the rear case102, in other words, an electric/electronic control unit. The frame 105may be fabricated of an alloy including magnesium. The frame fabricatedof the alloy including the magnesium has an advantage of a sufficientrigidity with a light weight.

A front surface of the frame 105 includes a flat portion to support thedisplay panel 151 and a rear surface thereof has an uneven portion tomount the part shown in FIG. 5 therein. The rear surface of the frame105 includes a battery mounting portion 105 a for mounting the batter191 therein and a circuit board supporting portion 105 b for loading theprinted circuit board 185 therein.

The rear case 102 may be coupled to the rear surface of the frame 105,to form the electric/electronic control unit between the frame 105 andthe rear case 102. Not only the battery 191 and the printed circuitboard 185 but also, the camera 121, the receiver 152 and the microphoneand the like may be mounted in the electric/electronic control unit.

With the trend of a slim mobile terminal 100, it is necessary to lessenthe thickness of the electric/electronic control unit. The battery 191out of the parts mounted in the electric/electronic control unit is thethickest and the electric/electronic control unit needs to be as thickas or thicker than the battery 191.

The portion where the battery 191 is mounted may be open to the frame105 to form the battery mounting portion 105 a. Referring to FIG. 6which is the sectional diagram of a mobile terminal 100 according to oneembodiment of the disclosure, the battery 191 is loaded in the batterymounting portion 105 a of the frame 105 and the thickness of theelectric/electronic control unit can be reduced as much as the thicknessof the frame 105.

In this instance, there is a disadvantage that the supporting structurebetween the battery 191 and the display panel 151 c is removed. To solvesuch a disadvantage, a heat spreader module 200 according to the presentembodiment has rigidity and the heat spreader module 200 is providedbetween the display panel 151 and the battery mounting portion 105 a tosupport a rear surface of the display panel 151.

The heat spreader module 200 is provided between the frame 105 and thedisplay panel 151 to spread the heat generated in the mobile terminal100. Much heat is generated in the printed circuit board 185 wherevarious electric/electronic devices for controlling the mobile terminal100 are mounted. A cooler may be used in an electronic device having apreset or more size such as a computer. However, a cooling fan cannot bemounted in the mobile terminal 100 in an aspect of portability and ahigh heat conductive module may be disposed in the mobile terminal 100to spread the heat generated in a specific portion of the mobileterminal.

The heat spreader module 200 according to the embodiments ischaracterized by possession of a predetermined rigidity. In aconventional heat spreading film, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PEP) isdisposed on one surface of graphite material and an adhesion film 221 isdisposed on the other surface. After that, the heat spreading filmhaving the multilayer structure is attached to the frame 105 like atape. At this time, a metallic or heat-conductive material may becontained in the adhesion layer film 221 to prevent heat spreading frombeing deteriorated by the adhesion film 221.

However, in the heat spreader module 200, a heat spreading film 220 suchas a graphite material is disposed on metallic plate 210 having a presetrigidity such as STS and then resin 211 is disposed between the heatspreading film 220 and the metallic plate 210. After that, a thermalcompression bonding method is performed to complete the heat spreadermodule 200. The heat spreading film 220 may be formed of copper orsilver having a good heat conductivity as well as graphite.

The heat spreading material layer 220 formed of graphite could bedamaged easily. To protect the heat spreading material layer 220, acover later 223 may be further disposed on the other surface of the heatspreading material layer 220 not coupled to the metallic plate 210.

The cover layer 223 may be formed of polyimide to make the heatspreading material layer 220 protected and as thin as possible. Thepolyimide has a high heat-resisting property and less dimensionalchange, with a high rub resistance.

When the heat spreading material layer 220 and the metallic plate 210are thermally compressed, bubble could be generated to partially spacethem apart from each other. Such bubble can make surfaces uneven and anair layer could deteriorate the heat spreading performance. To preventthe bubble, a hole 222 and 221 or a slit 221 may be formed at least oneof the heat spreading material layer 220 and the metallic plate 210.

FIG. 7 a illustrating a rear view illustrating one embodiment of theheat spreader module 200 and it is shown that a slit 221 is formed inthe heat spreader material film 220. FIG. 7 b is a rear viewillustrating another embodiment of the heat spreader module 200 and itis shown that a hole 222 is formed in the heat spreading material layer220. FIG. 7 c is a front view illustrating that a hole 212 is formed inthe metallic plate 210, not the heat spreader module 200.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c, the hole 222 and 212 or the slip 221is formed in the metallic plate 210 or the heat spreading material layer220, such that the bubble generated between the metallic plate 210 andthe heat spreading material layer 220 during the thermal compressionprocess may be exhausted through the hole 222 and 212 or the slit 221.

When the heat spreading material layer 220 and the cover later 223fabricated to have the same size as the metallic plate 210 are providedin the same position as the metallic plate 210, there might be adisadvantage that the heat spreading material layer 220 and the coverlayer 223 are separated from the metallic layer 210. To prevent thedisadvantage, the heat spreading material layer 220 and the cover layer223 shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are formed a little smaller than themetallic plate 210 to locate ends of the heat spreading material layer220 and the cover layer 223 in inner portions than ends of the metallicplate 210.

Copper may be used for the cover layer as well as polyimide. When usingcopper, the cover layer might be substantially thicker than the coverlayer formed of polyimide but it could enhance the rigidity of the heatspreader module, together with the metallic plate 210. With high heatconductivity, copper may enhance the heat sinking efficiency of the heatspreader module 200 together with the heat spreading material 220.

In case of the cover layer 223 formed of copper, it may be preferred touses a rolling method, not the thermal compression bonding mentionedabove. In such a rolling method, a thin film typed material is wound ina roll type and the rolled film is unrolled to dispose a material of thethin film sequentially.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a heatspreader module 200 in a rolling method. An adhesive is coated on ametallic layer (STS) 210 to form an adhesion layer 221 (S10). Thecoating of the adhesive may make a double sided tape bonded to STS in arolling method. A graphite material 220 is laminated to a first assemblyhaving the adhesion layer 221 laminated on the STS in a rolling methodand then a second assembly (2nd Assy) is formed (S20). The copper layer223 is laminated on the second assembly (S30). The material of the heatspreader module laminated in the rolling method is manufactured in along tape shape and then cut in a preset size (S40), such that the heatspreader module 200 may be manufactured.

In the rolling method mentioned above, the graphite material and thecopper layer are disposed on the STS moving in one direction, such thatthe heat spreader module 200 may be manufactured in a long tape shape.As shown in FIG. 7 a or 7 b, it is difficult to locate four lateralsurfaces of the heat spreading material layer 220 and the cover layer223 in an inner portion than the ends of the metallic layer 210.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, a vertical (anupward/downward direction) or a horizontal direction (a right-and-leftdirection) of the heat spreading material layer 220 and the cover layer223 may be arranged closer to the inner portion than the ends of themetallic layer 210 and the other directions may be arranged in the sameposition as the ends of the metallic layer 210.

When a corner portion is rounded as shown in FIG. 9, each of the layersdisposed in the heat spreader module 200 may be prevented fromseparating from each other. When the ends are rounded, the heatspreading material layer 220 and the cover layer 223 are prevented fromseparating from the metallic layer 210, even without locating the endsof the heat spreading material layer 220 and the cover layer 223 in theinner portion.

To bond the heat spreader module 200 to the frame 105, an adhesive tape215 shown in FIG. 4 may be used. When it is disposed on the entireportion of the heat spreader module 200, the adhesive tape 215 has adisadvantage of deteriorating the heat sinking performance because theheat generated from the printed circuit board 185 from failed to be sentto the heat spreading material layer 220.

When the small sized adhesive bonding the adhesive tape 215 is attachedto a 1.2% or less area of the heat spreading material layer 220, spacedapart as shown in FIG. 4, there is little temperature difference incomparison with the heat spreading material layer having no adhesivetape 215 such that the heat radiation function can be kept.

To test the heat radiation function based on the structures of the frame105, a temperature is measured on the other surface of the frame 105when a 3.4 W LED disposed on one surface is driven. FIG. 10 is a graphcomparing the heat spreading function in eight structures which combinethe frame 105 and the heat spreader module 200.

“R1” is a frame 105 containing magnesium with no open battery mountingportion 105 a and “R2” is a frame 105 having 2.5 mm artificial graphitedisposed thereon. “R3” is a frame 105 containing magnesium having anopen battery mounting portion 105 a and “R4” is R3 having a 0.1 mm STS(Steel) disposed thereon.

“A” is the frame 105 of R3 having an 0.05 mm copper layer, with 0.1 mmSTS (Steel) disposed thereon and “B” is the frame 105 of R3 having theopen battery mounting portion 105 a and 0.05 mm natural graphite and 0.1mm STS (Steel) disposed thereon.

“C” is the frame 105 of R3 having the open battery mounting portion 105a, with 0.025 mm artificial graphite and 0.1 mm STS(Steel) disposedthereon. “D” is R3 having the open battery mounting portion 105 a, with2 layers of 0.025 mm artificial graphite and 0.1 mm STS(Steel) disposedthereon.

When the frame 105 of the battery mounting portion 105 a is omitted, theheat spreading performance is getting as slow as much and thetemperature of R3 is higher than the temperature of R1. However, whenthe heat spreader module 200 according to the embodiments is provided asA, B, C and D, the temperatures may be lowered by 3

.

“A” uses copper as the heat spreading material layer 220 and “B” usesnatural graphite. “C” and “D” use artificial graphite. Compared with thecopper and the natural graphite, the heat spreading efficiency is highand the thickness is smaller in the artificial graphite. To secure theheat spreading efficiency and reduce the slim thickness, the heatspreader module 200 and the frame 105 of “C” may be used.

FIG. 11 is a comparison graph for identifying the heat radiationfunction, in case of using copper as the cover layer. “R5” refers to aheat radiation function of a magnesium frame and “R6” refers to a heatradiation function of a magnesium frame double-injected in an aluminumplate. “R7” refers to a heat radiation function of a magnesium framehaving an open battery mounting portion 105 a.

“R8” refers to a heat radiation function of the frame of R7 having onlythe graphite disposed thereon. “E” and “F” refer to heat radiationfunctions of a frame having an open battery mounting portion 105 a, witha heat spreader module 220 having a graphite material layer 220 and acopper cover layer 223 disposed on STS 210.

“E” refers to a heat radiation function in a state where a copper coverlayer 223 is arranged toward a display 151. “F” refers to a heatradiation function in a state where the copper cover layer 223 isarranged toward a battery 191. As a heat conductivity of copper ishigher than a heat conductivity of STS, a heat radiation function ofcopper is a little bit better than a heat radiation function of STS.Yet, both of them have excellent heat spreading performances and theymay secure sufficient reliability of the heat radiation performanceapplicable to actual products.

Compared with the heat spreading performance of the conventional frame,R7, E and F having the graphite layer have good heat radiationefficiency. When only graphite is disposed on the frame, the rearsurface of the battery mounting portion 105 a cannot be supported.Accordingly, it is preferred that the heat spreader module 200 includingthe metallic layer 220 and the cover layer 223 shown in E and F is used.

As mentioned above, according to at least one of the embodiments, theheat spreader module 200 having a preset rigidity may be used insupporting the display panel 151 and securing the heat spreadingperformance simultaneously, even when the frame 105 is partiallyeliminated.

Furthermore, the frame 105 is partially eliminated such that thethickness of the electric/electronic control unit increased by thebattery may be reduced and the overall thickness of the mobile terminalcan be reduced accordingly.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure.

More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible inthe component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combinationarrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and theappended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in thecomponent parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal comprising: a frame having afront surface; a display panel provided on the front surface of theframe; a rear case coupled to a surface of the frame, wherein a controlunit is between the frame and the rear case; a heat spreader modulebetween the display panel and the frame, wherein the heat spreadermodule includes: a metallic plate to contact the display panel; a heatspreading material layer at a rear surface of the metallic plate; and anadhesive layer between the heat spreading material layer and themetallic plate to bond the metallic plate to the heat spreading materiallayer.
 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the heatspreading material layer includes graphite.
 3. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cover layer on a surface ofthe heat spreading material layer such that the heat spreading materiallayer is between the adhesive layer and the cover layer.
 4. The mobileterminal according to claim 3, wherein the cover layer includespolyimide or copper.
 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 4,wherein the heat spreader module is formed by sequentially providingthermal-compression of the metallic plate, the adhesive layer, the heatspreading material layer and the cover layer.
 6. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 4, wherein each layer of the heat spreader module isdisposed sequentially in a rolling method.
 7. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 3, wherein a size of the heat spreading materiallayer and the cover layer is smaller than a size of the metallic platein a horizontal direction or a vertical direction.
 8. The mobileterminal according to claim 1, wherein the heat spreader module includesa rounded corner portion.
 9. The mobile terminal according to claim 1,wherein the metallic layer includes steel (STS).
 10. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer includes a heatconductive material.
 11. The mobile terminal according to claim 1,wherein the heat spreading material layer or the metallic layer includesa hole or a slit.
 12. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, whereinthe frame includes a battery mounting portion and a circuit boardsupporting portion formed at a rear surface of the frame, and a batteryis provided at the battery mounting portion and a circuit board isprovided at the circuit board supporting portion.
 13. The mobileterminal according to claim 12, further comprising: an adhesive betweenthe heat spreader module and the frame to attach the heat spreadermodule to the frame, wherein an area of the adhesive is 1.2% or lesswith respect to an overall area of the frame.
 14. A mobile terminalcomprising: a frame having a first surface; a display panel; a rear caseat a surface of the frame; a heat spreader module between the displaypanel and a battery mounting portion of the frame, wherein the heatspreader module includes: a metallic layer to contact the display panel;a heat spreading material layer at a surface of the metallic layer; acover layer on the heat spreading layer such that the heat spreadinglayer is between the adhesive layer and the cover layer; and an adhesivelayer having a heat conductive material, the adhesive layer beingbetween the heat spreading material layer and the metallic layer. 15.The mobile terminal according to claim 14, further comprising a controlunit between the frame and the rear case, and the control unit tocontrol a camera, a microphone and a receiver.
 16. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 14, wherein the frame includes a first indentedportion and a second indented portion having a less depth than the firstindented portion, the first indented portion to receive a battery andthe second indented portion to receive a circuit board.
 17. Amanufacturing method of a heat spreader module comprising: providing ametallic layer; coating an adhesive layer on the metallic layer;providing, by a rolling method, a heat spreading material layer on theadhesive layer; providing, by a rolling method, a copper layer on theheat spreading material layer; and separating the metallic layer, theadhesive layer, the heat spreading material layer and the copper layer.18. The manufacturing method according to claim 17, wherein a roller forlaminating the heat spreading material layer is smaller than a rollerfor laminating the copper layer and the adhesive layer.
 19. Themanufacturing method according to claim 17, wherein the separatingincludes providing a rounded corner of the heat spreader module.
 20. Themanufacturing method according to claim 17, wherein the heat spreadingmaterial layer or the metallic layer includes a hole or a slit.